Lockout/tagout systems

Lockout/Tagout System—A system for incapacitating a machine until it can be made safe to operate. Lockout means physically locking up the machine so that it cannot be used without removing the lock. Tagout means applying a tag that orders employees not to operate the machine in question. 

An accredited ANSI standards conunittee is working on a revision of ANSI Z244, titled Control of Hazardous Energy—Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods. Its June 2002 draft requires that a risk assessment be performed in the design of lockout/tagout systems to determine the... 

If a group lockout/tagout system exists, does the procedure provide the same... 

In another multilocation operation, a fatality resulting from electrocution occurred in a situation comparable to that just described. The CEO took charge. She recognized that shortcomings in the design of lockout/tagout systems result in unacceptable risks and that those risks may be pervasive. 

A learned colleague has frequently reminded us that complying with the National Electrical Safety Code or the applicable OSHA lockout/tagout standard will not necessarily ensure that a non-error-provocative lockout/tagout system has been put in place. Neither of those standards requires that disconnects be placed close to where the work is being done and thereby be conducive to employee use. 

Lockout/tagout systems are routinely used to protect workers when they are working with or close to hazardous systems. They are routinely used in conjunction with the other isolation methods. Once a switch or valve is in the correct position it is locked so that it cannot be moved, and a Do Not Operate tag is attached to it. (Valves are often chained in place, with the lock being used to secure the chain such that the valve handle cannot be moved.)... 

Material solidifies Monitor and control temperature in feed system or is too viscous, Heat trace and/or insulate lines and plugs lines. Potential for proper line break procedures exposure while Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correcting, proper lockout-tagout and confined space problem. entry procedures CCPS G-23 CCPS G-29 Fisher 1990... 

Hazards, exposure symptoms, air monitoring equipment, permit system, lockout/tagout, entry teams, and rescue equipment. Emergency Film Group Preview 35 Rental 150 Purchase 425... 

Permit to work program. The basic training will include a thorough explanation of the permit to work system, including lockout/tagout, hot work procedures, and vessel entry procedures. The training should focus on the interface between operations and maintenance. It is essential that the operator trainee knows where the lines of responsibility lie. 

There are three permit systems very common to the petrochemical and refining industries because OSHA mandates them. They are confined space, lockout/tagout, and hot work. All process employees—operators, instrument technicians, analyzer technicians, and maintenance personnel—sooner or later participate in a permitting situation. 

The incident investigation report recorded the causal factor as employee failed to follow the established lockout/tagout procedure. Later, it was determined that the distance to the power shut off was 216 feet. In that work situation, where fatigue had become a factor, it was judged that the design of the lockouf/tagout system whereby the power shut off was not immediately accessible encouraged the employee s... 

The SNL ES H Manual Supplement, Lockout/Tagout Procedure for the Contro of Hazardous Energy, (SNL 1998b) prescribes lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures during maintenance, repair, adjustments, and installation of hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, chemical, mechanical, or electrical equipment or of systems that, if unexpectedly energized, could harm people or property. The supplement contains the following ... 

Safety First Lockout/Tagout for Water Distribution Systems (order 64241)... 

Are all authorized employees, whose job requires them to perform sa-vice or maintenance on machines, systems, or equipment, trained on lockout/tagout... 

ANSI/ASSE Z241.1-2003. Control of Hazardous Energy—Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods Standard. Des Plaines, IL American Society of Safety Engineers, 2003. ANSI/AIHA ZlO-2005. Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Standard. Eairfax, VA American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2005. 

Two subjects come to mind that encourage designing beyond compliance standards. Systems designed in accord with OSHA s lockout/tagout and confined space standards may be error-provocative. 

Assume that an electrical system is designed to OSHA lockout/tagout requirements and to the requirements of the National Electfical Code but that the distance workers have to travel to lockout stations is, in their view, too far and burdensome. You can be sure that sometimes workers will not follow the written Standard Operating Procedures. If a system s design and purchasing contract merely say Meet OSHA Requirements, the result could be an error-provocative system. 

A system to educate and train affected employees on safety programs such as lockout/tagout, hazard communication, and bloodbome pathogens is in place. When asked, employees are able to correctly answer questions about hazard control procedures that affect them. 

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